In the realm of modern residential architecture, the dialogue between a built structure and its surrounding environment is often a delicate balancing act. Few recent projects master this equilibrium quite as thoroughly as the Gandarillas House, conceived and executed by the visionary team at Jose Pedro Vicente Arquitectos. Curated for publication by Valentina Díaz and captured through the lens of architectural photographer Nicolás Saieh, this striking coastal residence represents a masterclass in spatial choreography, climatic response, and site sensitivity.
At its core, the Gandarillas House is defined by a bold structural inversion: the entire primary residential program is elevated above the terrain, leaving the ground level completely unencumbered. Rather than carving up the plot with interior rooms, the architects chose to preserve the natural footprint of the site, turning the entire ground plane into a dynamic landscape for open-air living.
The project addresses a complex matrix of architectural challenges unique to coastal regions:
Site Integration: Harmonizing the built form with the topography of the coastal terrain.
Landscape Preservation: Ensuring that the natural ecosystem and terrain flow uninterrupted beneath and around the structure.
Security & Privacy: Creating a protected sanctuary without resorting to oppressive, fortress-like barriers.
Climatic Responsiveness: Designing for the intense fluctuations, humidity, and winds typical of coastal environments.
The result is a composition where the elevated living quarters act as a protective canopy, while the ground level thrives as a vibrant social hub complete with a swimming pool, expansive gardens, shaded terraces, an outdoor barbecue area, a fire pit, a dedicated bar, and fluid gathering spaces that take full advantage of the fresh coastal air.
Chronology: The Evolution of the Gandarillas House
The journey from an empty coastal plot to a completed architectural landmark followed a rigorous, deliberate timeline typical of high-end custom residential design. While specific administrative milestones span several years, the project’s development can be traced through key conceptual and physical phases:
Phase I: Conceptualization and Site Analysis (Early Planning)
Before a single line was drawn, Jose Pedro Vicente Arquitectos conducted extensive studies of the coastal microclimate. Understanding the prevailing winds, solar orientation, soil conditions, and tidal or moisture patterns was vital. The primary realization during this phase was that traditional ground-level construction would compromise the natural flow of the site and leave the home vulnerable to the damp, shifting coastal earth. The decision was made early on to invert the standard layout by lifting the main living areas.
Phase II: Structural Engineering and Schematic Design
Elevating an entire residential program requires precise structural coordination. During this phase, the engineering framework was established to support the upper volume while maintaining a clean, open ground plane. Circulation cores—stairwells and potentially elevators—were meticulously positioned to anchor the floating mass without cluttering the transparency of the ground level.
Phase III: Materiality and Detailing
With the structural skeleton approved, the architects focused on material selection. Given the harsh coastal elements, materials had to be resilient against salt corrosion and moisture while offering visual warmth. Wood, concrete, and expansive glazing were integrated to create a tactile contrast between the heavy, protective upper shell and the fluid, transparent ground landscape.
Phase IV: Construction, Landscape Integration, and Completion
The physical realization of the Gandarillas House involved meticulous on-site execution. As the upper volume was hoisted and secured, landscape architects and designers worked concurrently on the ground level. Gardens were planted, the pool and fire pit were cast into the terrain, and outdoor gathering zones were meticulously laid out. The project officially reached completion in September 2026, quickly garnering international attention for its innovative approach to coastal habitation.
Supporting Data & Architectural Specifications
To fully appreciate the scope of the Gandarillas House, it is helpful to examine the quantifiable and structural parameters that define the project:
Project Name: Gandarillas House (Casa Gandarillas)
Architectural Firm: Jose Pedro Vicente Arquitectos
Curator: Valentina Díaz
Photographer: Nicolás Saieh
Completion / Publication Date: September 18, 2026
Location: Coastal zone (Chile)
Primary Spatial Strategy: Elevated residential program with a fully open ground level.
Outdoor Program Amenities: Swimming pool, landscaped gardens, multiple terraces, outdoor kitchen/barbecue area, fire pit, social gathering nooks, and open-air lounges.
Material Palette: Combines robust structural elements (such as reinforced concrete) with warm, organic finishes (predominantly high-grade wood and expansive glass panels) to bridge interior comfort with exterior ruggedness.
Official Perspectives and Architectural Intent
According to the design statement provided by Jose Pedro Vicente Arquitectos, the core ambition of the project was to transcend conventional boundary definitions between indoors and outdoors.
"The proposal seeks to articulate the relationship between the site, the landscape, security, and the coastal climate. The entire program is elevated, while the ground level remains completely open. Rather than being occupied by the building, the ground becomes the primary space for outdoor living."
This philosophy challenges the traditional suburban or coastal home model, where the footprint of the house aggressively claims the land. By lifting the domestic quarters, Jose Pedro Vicente Arquitectos flips the spatial hierarchy. The ground is no longer just a foundation; it is celebrated as the active heart of the property.
Furthermore, the architectural team emphasized that security and privacy were achieved not by walling off the property from the exterior world, but by creating a defensible yet porous threshold. The elevated living quarters provide a sense of refuge and sanctuary, looking out over the panoramic ocean views and the immediate landscape, while the lower level remains open, inviting, and deeply connected to the natural rhythms of the coast.
Implications for Modern Coastal Architecture
The completion and critical reception of the Gandarillas House carry significant implications for contemporary residential design, particularly in regions vulnerable to climatic extremes and shifting environmental landscapes.
1. Re-evaluating Site Footprints
In many coastal developments, maximizing interior square footage often results in an over-built site that destroys local topography and disrupts natural drainage or wind patterns. The Gandarillas House offers an alternative paradigm: maximum ground preservation coupled with optimized upper-level efficiency. By allowing the landscape to flow uninterrupted beneath the structure, the building minimizes its ecological footprint on the soil level.
2. Microclimatic Comfort
Designing for the coast requires innovative thinking regarding ventilation, solar heat gain, and moisture. By elevating the living spaces, the architects exposed the home to better cross-ventilation, enhanced natural lighting, and sweeping elevated views. Simultaneously, the shaded void beneath the structure creates a cool micro-climate at ground level, offering natural relief during hot summer days.
3. Redefining Luxury and Security
Luxury in modern architecture is increasingly defined by spatial fluidity, privacy, and connection to nature rather than sheer scale. The Gandarillas House demonstrates that safety and seclusion do not require inward-facing bunker architecture. Instead, by elevating the private quarters, the designers achieved both elevated vistas and a secure personal retreat while maintaining an expansive, ground-level playground for leisure and socialization.
As architects worldwide grapple with the dual demands of environmental responsiveness and spatial innovation, projects like the Gandarillas House by Jose Pedro Vicente Arquitectos serve as a vital blueprint for the future of sustainable, climate-adapted coastal living.
